Electrically driven wheeled figure toy



Oct. 20, 1959 M. I. GLASS ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN WHEELED FIGURE TOY FiledMarch 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- 4 I @45 64 WM 0?- Aw-W.

Oct. 20, 1959 M. I. GLASS 2,909,001

ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN WHEELED FIGURE TOY Filed March 12, 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 20, 1959 M. l. GLASS ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN WHEELEDFIGURE TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 35 Filed March 1956 BY 74 Ww Oct. 20, 1959 M.GLASS 2,909,001

ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN WHEELED FIGURE TOY Filed March 12. 1956 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. MH H/M/ I. 6 40::

BY 7? km zZforzrey United States Patent C) 2,909,001 ELECTRICALLY DRIVENWHEELED FIGURE TOY Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, Ill. Application March 12,1956, Serial No. 571,011

Claims. (Cl. 46-247) This invention relates to an electrically operatedtoy and more particularly to a toy simulating a dog.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a battery operatedtoy which when actuated will operate for a short period of time and thencease operation until again actuated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toy simulating a dog,which is actuated by manually engaging the head to start operation ofthe toy which will then operate for a short period of time. During theoperation of the toy, the toy moves forward, the eyes rotate, the lowerjaw pivots and the tail wags.

It is known that children like to play with dogs and have them performby petting them. This invention tends to simulate that action, byproviding a toy dog having means extending upwardly from the head whichis manually engaged by the hand, in the nature of a petting action, andby such action actuates the toy dog to perform in the manner set forthabove. The toy will provide a great deal of play value and entertainmentand is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the toy.

Fig. 2 is ta top plan view.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the operating elements.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical View taken on lines 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a front end view.

Fig. 6 is a rear end View.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism, and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the switch disc.

The toy has a base member 10 made of metal having side flanges 12 inwhich are supported front and rear axles 14 and 16 respectively. Thefront axle 14 has fixedly secured to it a pair of front wheels 18 whichform the driving or propelling wheels and the rear axle 16 has fixedlysecured thereto a pair of rear wheels 20. Fixedly secured to the frontaxle is a gear 22 which is driven as will be explained to propel thetoy.

Secured to the front of the base 10 as at 23 is an inverted U-shapedsupporting metal frame 24 which extends across the width of the base.Rotatably supported on the base 10 as at 25 and extending upwardlywithin said supporting frame is a vertical shaft 26 which extendsthrough an opening in the top of the supporting frame 24 and has fixedlysecured to the top thereof a horizontally positioned metal contact disc28 provided with a small opening in which is secured a small disc 29 ofinsulated or non-electrical conducting material.

Fixedly secured on the lower end of the metal shaft 26 is a horizontallypositioned gear 30 and fixedly secured to said shaft 26 upwardly thereofis a gear-cam generally indicated at 32 which includes an annular platehaving peripheral teeth 34. An annular fiange36 extends upwardly of saidplate and same is provided with a continuous series of cam surfaces 38.

Secured to the base 10 as at 39 is a bracket 40 having 3 spaced upwardlyextending walls 41, 42 and 43. On said walls is a transverselypositioned shaft 44 which has fixed thereto exteriorly of wall 43, asmall gear 46 in mesh with the gar 22 on the front axle. Also fixedlysecured to said transverse shaft 44 is a worm gear 48 in mesh with gear30 on the vertical shaft 26. Also fixedly secured to the transverseshaft 44 between walls 41 and 42 is a gear 50 which is adapted to bedriven from the motor to rotate the transverse shaft 44 which will nowbe described.

Rotatably supported between walls 41 and 42 rear wardly of thetransverse shaft 44 is a stub shaft 52 which has fixed thereto a gear 54and a pinion 56. The pinion 56 meshes with gear 50 on the transverseshaft 44 and 32 and the contact disc 28 thereon.

Secured to each of the vertical portions of the frame member 24 belowthe cam-gear 32 is a horizontal shelf 62 which has a disc shaped fronthaving a central opening therein.

Vertical rods 64 having gears 66 fixedly secured to the lower endsthereof are rotatably secured on the disc shaped portion of the shelf62. The gears 66 rest on the disc portions and the rods extend into theopenings thereof. Each of the gears 66 is in mesh with the teeth 34 ofthe cam-gear 32 to be rotated thereby. The upper end of each of the rods64 supports a dome shaped member 68 which is painted to simulate an eye.It will thus be seen that the eyes rotate as the toy is propelled.

A housing for the toy generally indicated at 70 is provided which formsthe body and head of the dog and said housing is preferably formed withsquare corners and of box-like appearance to give a unique anddistinctive robot style body. The housing may be formed of plasticmaterial and made of two longitudinal half sections 71 and 72 suitablyjoined together and suitably secured to the base 10 to cover themechanical structure of the toy. The housing has front and rear skirtportions 73 and 74 which enclose the front and rear wheels respectively.

The head portion designated by the numeral 76 has a forwardly extendinghorizontal upper member 77 which is substantially flat at the top butrounded at the forward end and same has a continuous depending lip 78.The member 77 simulates the upper jaw of the mouth. It supports a rubberbulbous member 79 representing a nose which is connected to a reed soundmember (not shown) positioned inside of the upper jaw so that a sound isproduced when the bulb is compressed. A lower jaw member generallydesignated at 80 has a continuous upwardly extending lip 81 and ispivotally secured to the upper jaw as follows. The upper jaw hasdownward extensions 82 which support a transverse rod 84 which rod issecured to the lower jaw. The lower jaw has a cutout 85 so as not tointerfere with the cams 38 of the gear-cam 32. Extending from the rearof the lower jaw is an arcuate shaped band or rim 86 which has securedto it an L-shaped member 88 in engagement with the cam surfaces 38 ofthe gear-cam member. A spring 90 is secured to the transverse rod 84with the opposite ends of the spring engaging the horizontal portion ofthe supporting frame 24 and the lower jaw 80 to normally maintain thelower jaw in. closed position as best seen in Fig.

4. As the gear-cam 32 rotates the cam surfaces 38 in engagement withmember 88 on the lower jaw will cause the lower jaw to pivot to open andclosed positions.

Secured to the top of the supporting frame24 is a metal post 92't0 whichis secured in spaced relation a lower metal contact finger 94 and anupper metal contact finger 96. The outer end of thelower contact finger94 is U- shaped and is adapted to constantly engage the top of thecontact disc 28 on the vertical shaft 26 and is on the same radius asthe insulated disc 29 thereon to make contact therewith once during suchrevolution of contact disc 28 for the purpose ofbreaking the electricalcircuit as will be described. The fingers 94 and 96 are spaced radiallyfrom each other but the electrical circuit is established from theconductor 108, post 92, contact finger 94, contact plate 28, metal shaft26 to base to which the motor 58 is grounded.

Vertically supported in the head portion 26 of the toy for verticalsliding movement is a manually depressible plunger 98 having a domeshaped head 99 positioned exteriorly of the head of the toy figure. Theplunger rests on the top contact finger 96 and when the plunger isdepressedthe contact finger 96 bends downwardly and makes contact withthe contact plate 28 to close the electrical circuit and energize themotor 58.

The upper portion of the housing which forms the my body is providedwith a rectangular shaped opening 169 through which a pair of dry cellbatteries B are inserted. The dry cells are supported on a platform 1.82in themterior of the housing as best shownv in Fig. 4. The platform hasa pair of contact elements 104 and 106 which are engaged by the negativeand positive poles of the two batteries. Contact 184 being connected toone of the poles of the motor 58 by conducting wire 197 and contact 106being connected by conducting wire 108 to the. post 92. A removablemetal cover 119 closes therectangular opening 165) and same isdetachably secured to the housing. Said cover 118 has contact elementsmaking contact with the opposite ends of the dry cell batteries. Thecircuit is completed from post 92, through contact :finger 94, contactplate 28, metal shaft 26, base plate 10 to which the electric motor 58is grounded.

A vertical post 112 is secured to the base 10 at the rear thereof andpivotally supported at the upper end of said post as at 114 is a member116 shaped in the form of a right angle with the horizontal portionthereof secured to a connecting link 118 whose opposite end is securedto the crank portion 1'7 of the rear axle .16, so that as the axlerotates the member 116 is rocked or pivoted. EX- tending from the upperend of the member 116 is a rod 120 having a ball 122 mounted on the endthereof. Member 116, rod 120 and ball 122 form the tail of the dog. Thesides of the housing '70 adjacent the head 76 are provided with slotsthrough which are pivotally secured simulated flaps or cars .124 whichmay be manually pivoted. The housing is also provided adjacent the eyeswith semi-cylindrical members 126 which enclose the gears 66 and rods 64on which the eyes are mounted.

The operation will be understood from the following but will be brieflysummarized.

When the toy is at rest, the contact finger 94 will be in engagementwith the non-conducting small disc29 on the contact plate 28, so thatthe circuit to the motor will be open. To start operation of the toy,the dome 99 is manually depressed depressing plunger 98 which flexestheupper contact finger 96 to engage the contact plate 28. This closesthe circuit to the motor 58 which starts the operation to propel the toyalso rotating contact disc 28. As soon as rotation of contact disc 28starts the circuit is established through contact finger 94 inengagement with contact disc 28 and the plunger 98 can be released. Thetoy will continue to operate until the contact disc 28 makes a completerevolution and the non-conducting small disc 29 of the contact plate 28engages thecontact' finger 94 .at which time vthe circuit is broken andthe.

. 4 motor deenergized and the toy comes to a stop. This conditionprevails until the plunger 98 is again depressed which starts theoperation all over again.

As previously explained with the energizing of the motor 58, the toy ispropelled forwardly, the lower jaw 88 is pivoting to open and closedpositions, the eyes 68 are both revolving and the tail .122 is pivoted.These operations continue for a prescribed period i.e. for the time ittakes the contact plate 28 to make a complete revolution. The child thushas the feeling that by petting the toy dog (manually touching the dome99) the toy dog performs and then stops performing until again petted.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may beniade from the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrically operated toy comprising in combination a toy animalfigure having a body supported on wheels for movement of said toyforwardly ona sup; porting surface, a gear secured to said wheels, saidbody having a head and a pivotal jaw, a pair of rotatable eyespositioned in said head, an electrical motor within said body, a batteryfor operating said motor, a manually engageable member extendingexteriorly of said head, said manually engageable member adapted to beactuated. by the hand when petting said member simulating the act ofpetting an animal, means operated by the actuation of said manuallyengageable member for closing the circuit to energize said motor for aperiod of time and then to. deenergize said motor, gear means inengagement with said gear and operated by said motor during itsenergization for rotating said wheels to drive said toy forwardlyon asupporting surface, a cam member operated by said gear means, meansconnecting said pivotal jaw to said cam member for moving said pivotaljaw during operation of said cam member, and means connecting said eyesto said gear means to rotate said eyes during operation of said gearmeans. I

2. An electrically operated toy comprising a toy animal figure having abody supported on wheels for movement of said toy forwardly on asupporting surface, a head supported on said body, an electric motorwithin said body, gear means operated by said motor for rotating saidwheels to drive said toy forwardly, a battery for operating said motor,a manually depressible member extending upwardly of said head, saidmanually deprcssible member adapted to be actuated by the hand whenpetting. said member simulating the act of petting an animal, meansoperated by the momentary depression of said manually depressible memberfor closing the circuit to said motor to operate said motor, said meansincluding. a rotatable contact disc and a contact finger operated bysaid manually depressible member, said contact disc having anon-electrical conducting portion, said contact finger when operated bysaid manually depressible mem ber' adapted to contact said disc andclose the circuit to said motor to start operation of said motor androtation of said contact disc, a second contact finger in electricalcontact with said contact disc after said disc is rotating toclose thecircuit to said motor to continueoperation of said motor and rotation ofsaid disc until said second contact finger engages said non-electricalconducting portion and breaks electrical contact with said disc wherebysaid toy is caused to move forward for a prescribed period of time andthen stop.

3. An electrically operated toy comprising a toy animalfigure having abody supported on wheels for movement of said toy forwardly on asupporting surface, said body having a head and a pivotal jaw, 21 pairof rotatableeyes positioned in said head, an electric motor within saidbody, a battery for operating said motor, gear means operated by saidmotor for rotating said wheels "to drive said toy forwardly on asupporting surface, meansv operated by rotation of said gears forrotating said eyes. and pivoting said jaw, a manually depressiblemember;

extending exteriorly of said head, said manually depressible memberadapted to be actuated by the hand when petting said member simulatingthe act of petting an animal, a vertical shaft within said bodysupporting a contact plate, said contact plate having a non-electricalconducting portion, a first and second contact finger normally innon-electrical contact with said contact plate, said manuallydepressible member connected to said first finger and adapted when saiddepressible member is momentarily depressed to close electrical contactbetween said first finger and said contact plate to cause energizationof said motor and rotation of said contact plate, said second fingerbeing normally in engagement with said non-electrical conducting portionwhen said contact plate is not rotating and adapted after said contactplate is rotating to engage said plate to close the circuit to saidmotor for one revolution of said contact plate, said motor whenenergized operating to cause said toy to be driven, and simultaneouslyto pivot said jaw and rotate said eyes.

4. An electrically operated toy comprising a toy animal figure having abody supported on wheels for movement of said toy forwardly on asupporting surface, an electric motor within said body, gear meansoperated by said motor for rotating said wheels to drive said toyforwardly, a battery for operating said motor, a manually depressiblemember extending upwardly of said body, said manually depressible memberadapted to be actuated by the hand when petting said member simulatingthe act of petting an animal, means operated by the momentary depressionof said manually depressible member for closing the circuit to saidmotor for a period of time to operate said motor for said period oftime, said motor when operating adapted to operate said gear means topropel said toy forwardly on a supporting surface and to arrest forwardmovement of said toy when said motor has ceased operating.

5. An electrically operated toy comprising a toy animal figure having abody supported on wheels for movement of said toy forwardly on asupporting surface, said body having a head and a pivotal jaw, anelectric motor within said body, gear means operated by said motor forrotating said wheels to drive said toy forwardly, a battery foroperating said motor, a manually depressible member extending upwardlyof said head, said manually depressible member adapted to be actuated bythe hand when petting said member simulating the act of petting ananimal, means operated by the momentary depression of said depressiblemember for closing the circuit to said motor for a period of time tooperate said motor for said period of time, cam means operated by saidgears for rotating said cam means, means connecting said cam means tosaid pivotal jaw for moving said pivotal jaw during rotation of said cammeans, said motor when operating for said period of time adapted tooperate said gears and said cam means simultaneously to propel said toyforwardly on a supporting surface and to pivot said jaw and to arrestforward movement of said toy and the pivoting of said jaw when saidmotor has ceased operating.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS990,464 Taylor Apr. 25, 1911 1,223,372 DiZerega Apr. 24, 1917 1,455,194Eaton May 15, 1923 1,518,324 Heaton Dec. 9, 1924 2,438,603 Erhardt Mar.30, 1948 2,534,609 Mann Dec. 19, 1950 2,629,203 Brown Feb. 24, 19532,690,626 Gay et a1. Oct. 5, 1954

